VM1138

An enforcer? I don't think that is high on our list. We may not top the leaue in physicality, but we don't get pushed around like we used to. Number one is a top pairing defenseman, and number two is a top six forward who always works hard. That would make us a Cup finalist.

Holland's job is to make this team competitive, and not sit back and wait for some magical healthy team. That never happens in hockey. Also, Bertuzzi and Sammy aren't going to push this team to the next level. That's what a good trade does. So no, getting healthy isn't like a trade acquisition. Regardless, as you all said already, trades are unlikely because no one wants to anymore.

Should be a relatively easy game. But for which team?

Flip isn't worth more than he's making now. Any raise would be based on the anticipation of future growth, which isn't going to happen. He has never broken out and is already in his prime. Is rather trade him for something than let him walk for nothing, but as you've all established, its going to be hard to do that. And if it's between him and Brunner, then it's a no brainer. Brunner brings more to the table than a competent center.

Tatar has always been slated to be a top 6 forward. He's showing that development now. He might not develop into a superstar, but he will be putting up 60 points a season in a few years.

For the right price, Holland would be insane to not try and get Iginla as our "win it for __" candidate. He'd add a nice dimension to our attack.

Don't know much about him but having another right handed man couldn't hurt. Could also solve our backlog of forwards. Then trade White and a pick for a second line forward and we could make a good run.

Maybe Babcock is afraid of putting too much pressure on Tatar and doesn't want to kill his momentum? That seems semi logical, but doesn't hold up under scrutiny. Maybe he doesn't want to screw up the bottom 6? But even then, I'd rather have a functioning top 6. Tatar got one shift this season with Datsyuk and inexplicably never got another one. Babcock has to be lying. If we can think of that combo he has too. He has some secret reason for what he's doing.

Missed the game, but sounds like Tatar got shafted by Babcock. Did he sleep with Babcock's wife or something? The treatment of him and Datsyuk is mind boggling.

Wings usually do well in tough matchups. I say they take the lead early and gold on for a one goal win.

Trading Datsyuk is ridiculous. Trade away a sure fire superstar for a handful of maybe-one-day-stars? Wouldn't it make more sense to surround him with talent and go for it all this year or next year? I'd rather come up with creative packages to get another 2nd line scorer or some defense and see what happens. This team is always under-estimated, probably because of their inconsistency, but when this team is on they are nearly unstoppable. Right now, this is not a Cup caliber team, but we're not more than maybe two new players away from contending seriously. You'd be amazed what a difference the right players can make. I don't care if it takes picks, to be honest. Building from within is important, but I'd drop a 1st and some players for a superstar defenseman in a heart-beat, as long as he was in his mid-20s. Because he is going to win you more games than a potential #1 prospect 8 years from then.

It's not an entirely useless stat, but like any stat, it can be misleading. By its very nature, the plus will be more relevant for a forward, and the negative will be more accurate for a defenseman. But at any rate, it's not perfect. If you have a high plus you should probably have a lot of points for it to indicate you were involved. Quincey's high plus hides the fact that he has not been a factor in many goals, which can be seen in his points. So Quincey's unique situation shows us how to interpret a plus minus.

And Datsyuk is likely to get a raise. He improves every year. I'm betting his next contract is a three or four year term for 7.5 mil.

Milbury is a dork. That's a pretty embarrassing game for Ovie. I wonder what made him fall so far, so fast? I don't understand how a guy who was arguably best in the world for years suddenly drops off the face of the earth. He must have some serious personal problems. I don't know how much he makes, but for a little less (if his contract is up soon) I'd take him. I bet he'd shine in a secondary role. And a change of scenery. Relocation doesn't always work (or even most of the time) but I feel like that type of player, with that kind of talent would thrive in a new setting. And he does have heart, something really erratic is going on with him the past year or two.

Anyone else find it funny that we're playing LA on "Rivalry Night" in the NHL? According to their website. Since when are Detroit and LA rivals?

I'm not a huge hater of any players on this team, and honestly I haven't noticed White at all, probably because of his injury. But it's good to know that Babcock is capable of scratching an established player. I guess Cleary and Flip are considered too valuable to sit before this? I would be mad, too, to be the first healthy scratch of a significant player, considering he hasn't been the worst disappointment.

Oh, Eddie. Everyone knows the person making the hit is the one that does so at their own risk. There's no honor in letting yourself get creamed if you can avoid it.

I was listening to ESPN radio the other day, and they were talking about the NBA wanting to make it easier for students to get drafted and a caller brought up that very same point. The hosts seemed to like the idea, it gives the kids a safety net if their careers as pro hockey players don't pan out, and gives them an incentive to stay a ltitle longer in college to develop.

Other teams have weak schedules, too. I don't think it takes away from their record at all. A shortened season affects everyone the same. Most teams are struggling, but they're not. Maybe their schedule does help a little, but the point is, they are beating teams they should beat. You can't dismiss them because of that. Look at the Wings, we beat the good teams but routinely lose to bottom feeders.

USA chant was a little misplaced....but it was an energetic crowd. Awesome win. Does anyone know how many times Luongo has let in 7 or more goals in a game? Seems to happen relatively often. Be very afraid for next game, folks. With regularity, huge scoring wins like this are followed by bitter defeats.

Tatar with one goal, one assist. Datsyuk and Andersson and Eaves with the others. 4-2 Wings. They play great against the good teams.

Maybe there was reason behind Babcock's madness in putting Cleary with Datsyuk. Cleary has gotten better, maybe he was having some confidence issues and Datsyuk was the only one skilled enough to carry him until he started coming back to form. Or maybe he just had a better night than normal. We shall see, but I hope it means he's getting his mind and legs back.

Meh. I like the idea, but we lose one boring opponent and gain two. I hate being force fed manufactured rivalries. That's all divisions do. But oh well.

I hope Tatar gets to stay up once everyone is healthy, but that means sitting someone like Cleary. So enjoy the Tatar show while it lasts.

Axe, your solution is to ice an enhanced Griffins team? That won't work come playoffs.